Guard-rail



(No Model.)

P. W. BARRETT.

GUARD RAIL.

Patented Nov.- 22, 1892.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK W. BARRETT, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

GUARD-RAIL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 486,541, dated November 22, 1892.

Application filed January 30. 1892. fiierial No. 419,737. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. BARRETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in' Guard-Rails, of which the following is.a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in guard-rails.

My improvements have reference to a horizontally-swinging arm combined with an adjustable rail adapted to inclose a space and allow of entrance thereto and exit therefrom, have reference to a special form of swinging arm, and means to automatically return it to a closed position, and have reference to other points hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, on which like reference-letters indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 represents a side View of my device partially in section; Fig. 2, a plan view of the same with one arm removed; Fig. 3, an enlarged sectional View of a swinging arm and its operating-spring; Fig. 4, a detail of the spring itself; and Fig. 5 a side view of a supporting foot or base for a standard, showing the spring engaged therewith.

My device is adapted to partition off a portion of a room for voting purposes and allow ready exit therefrom, but oppose the entrance to the inclosed space till the arm or gate is properly operated. In precincts where the pressure of voting is considerable, the voters, crowding into the room, force the foremost ones through the opening as ordinarily constructed and before their turn to enter and deposit their votes. My device presents an effective obstacle, while allowing the entrance of the voters in proper order and time.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A designates the outside, and the letter B the inside, space, divided by a guard-rail 0, preferably tubular and mounted on standards or posts D D, supported by base portions E, adapted to be screwed or otherwise secured to the floor and flaring outward. to form a firm support for the posts and rails. Within the rail 0 or otherwise slidingly engaged therewith is mounted an extension-rail O also provided with a supporting-post D and base E,whereby it may be drawn outward and supported to increase the length of the guard-rail and the size of the space guarded. The base E need not necessarily be secured to the floor, unless so desired, the extension-rail being held by the portion 0. On one or both ends of the guard-rail is mounted a horizontallyswinging arm F, mounted in a bracket G, pivotally secured by a screw-threaded or other engagement with the coupling H or other portion connecting the guard-rail and post, as shown in Fig. 3. This bracket is provided with a stop portion g, adapted to engage with the guard-rail or other point to limit the rotation of the arm F when swung from an open to a closed position, which will thus form a continuation of the guard-railing, as seen from Fig. 2, and resist the pressure from outside. It may be readily rotated in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2, but is maintained in its normally-closed position by means of a spring I, extending interiorly from the bracket G to the base E, the ends being turned outward or transversely, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, to engage with the pivoted arm at one end and with the foot piece or base at the other end, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5. The rotation of the arm will thus twist the rod 1, which torsional stress will effect the return of the arm till the engagement of the stop checks it in its closed position. The length of the spring-rod provides for the necessary amount of rotation of the arm, and being located within the post it is out of the way and requires no special mountings. The engagement of the lower portion of the rod by catching it over the foot-piece of the post allows of ready disengagement therefrom, when desired, to maintain the arm above the guard-rail when folded for transportation or otherwise, as indicated at the right hand of Fig. 1. This manner of mounting the spring admits of using it at both ends of the rail, whatever the size and length of the post. The simplicity of my device, as well as the effectiveness of it in overcoming the difficulties and annoyance before experienced, is apparent. The bracket G is conveniently made in one piece, with a reduced portion adapted to give bearing within the coupling H and afford attachment for the arm F at another portion of the same.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new,rand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a guard-rail and tubular supporting-posts therefor, of a tubular arm pivotally supported near one end of said rail and adapted to swing in one direction but stopped in its movement in a reverse direction, and a spring-rod mounted within said post, one end being bent outward within said arm and the other end bent outward to engage it with the base of said post, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a guard-rail, supporting-posts, and couplings between said posts and rail, of abraeket rotatably mounted over one of said couplings and, having a and having a curved-down portion bent side- W'ise out of the plane of the arm and post, substantially as shown and described, and a spring to effect the normal engagement of said on rved-down portion of each bracket with the adjacent portion of the guard-rail.

4. The combination, with an extensible guard-rail formed in two parts, the one adjustable within the other, and tubular supporting standards or posts for each member or part, of a bracket-piece G at each end of the guard having a reduced portion rotatably mounted in the supporting-post, and a curveddown sidewisebent stop portion g, adapted to engage with the rail,a tubular arm mount ed in each bracket-piece opposite said stop portion, and a spring-rodv extending through each tubular post and bracket-piece. and bent laterally to engage, with said armand the base of said ,post, respectively, wherebythe.

automatic return ofthe arm v and the contact of the stop are eifected.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence oftwo witnesses.

FREDERICK W. BARRET"., Witnesses:

J. E. F NWICK, WARREN M, ,BIONAIB. 

